Special agents want to know how Aristotle University was authorized to issue student visas

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Xanthi Gionis, founder and dean of Aristotle University at a downtown news conference Feb. 7, 2013.

Updated at 6:13 PM PDT on Wednesday, Feb 13, 2013

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has launched an investigation into a North County university.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security oversees the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) which manages schools and student visas.

Investigates Aristotle University

Investigates Aristotle University (Published Wednesday, Feb 6, 2013)

Special agents with the agency want to know how Aristotle University was authorized to issue student visas, which they said is a stringent process.

The investigation was launched after an NBC 7 Investigates story revealed that some of the students (say they) used their life savings to attend Aristotle University the Carlsbad school, for a Master's Degree in Public Health.

Teacher Claims She's Owed Money by Aristotle Co-Founder

On its website,which has now been taken down, Aristotle University claimed it was licensed by the Bureau for Private Post-Secondary and Vocational Education, but a spokesperson from that bureau told NBC 7 there is no record of it ever being licensed by the state.

Dean Denies Accusations Against Aristotle University

The founder and dean of a controversial university in Carlsbad held a press conference on Thursday to challenge allegations against the school first brought to light and reported by NBC 7 Investigation. (Published Friday, Feb 8, 2013)

“It’s extremely hard to get certification,” immigration attorney Ginger Jacobs explained. “So I was very surprised that this school had obtained that certification.”

One student told NBC 7 San Diego that Aristotle University postponed this week’s class scheduled for Monday and informed students the class would resume next week.

NBC 7 reached out to Gionis for comment Wednesday in regards to the investigation into Aristotle University launched by the Department of Homeland Security.

"Aristotle University looks very much forward to and welcomes any and all investigations, particularly from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the California Department of Consumer Affairs," Gionis told NBC 7.